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Researchers suggest diabetics may be prone to depression

Updated: 2009-08-04 22:53:12 CST Category: General Health

by Laurent Castellucci

A neurotransmitter in the brain may be the cause for depressive symptoms and a lower level of cognitive performance in some diabetics.

That's the finding from researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center, as well as other institutions involved in the study. Dr. Alan Jacobson was the senior author of the study and stated that the new information that emerged could lead to a better understanding of the "underlying mechanisms" in people suffering from type 1 diabetes.

"The importance of this paper lies in the linkage of a neurotransmitter that, in high levels, can cause damage to neurons, the degree of diabetic hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and alterations in cognitive function and depression levels previously found in diabetes," Jacobson said.

In the study, researchers increased the levels of glutamate in the prefrontal area of the brain in people with type 1 diabetes. This let to poorer glucose control, which in turn produced more symptoms of depression and lower scores on cognitive tests.

A vitamin D deficiency can increase a person's risk of developing diabetes. This condition may be prevented through a vitamin D lab test to see if one is getting enough of the so-called sunshine vitamin.

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